Cambridge University Press Cambridge British Law and Literature - 18th Century Volume

Explore the connection between legal evolution and imaginative writing in eighteenth-century Britain. This volume from Cambridge University Press examines how jurists and legislators adapted legal doctrines to meet the needs of an industrial and imperial society. By analyzing both canonical and lesser-known texts from the Restoration to the Romantic era, the book reveals how legal developments shaped literature and vice versa. Readers will find deep analysis of various legal themes, including libel law, marriage law, and the laws surrounding slavery and abolition. The text also covers plague law, naturalization law, the poor laws, and the practice of common-law decision-making. It is a specialized resource for those studying the history of British law and its impact on literary culture during this transformative period.